Trump shouldn’t let the Democrats off the hook. If America’s elected officials are ever going to address the nation’s issues – including the national debt – they need to stop making excuses and face reality. Neither Trump nor the process is the problem; it’s DC’s swamp mentality.

Donald Trump isn’t Joseph Stalin. There’s no Gulag waiting beyond the Blue Ridge for reporters who say things critical to the administration. In his “Fake News Awards” Trump also praised “many great reporters;” the people will be the judge on who’s in the right on this one.

Republicans and Donald Trump aren’t the only ones who have relationships to repair. The media will blow any potential intraparty GOP differences way out of proportion. A year after President Trump was inaugurated the establishment is on the run and the party is largely unified.

Americans are compassionate but they’re not stupid; there may be a need to compromise on immigration but it must be a two-way street. Democrats who believe they’ll win the political battle over a government shutdown are sorely mistaken -- thankfully they won’t realize it until November.

National security dangers aren’t just in the eye of the beholder; some threats are by nature easier to spot – and deal with. Wise people on both sides of the climate change issue can’t even agree on whether it exists much less the risk warmer temperatures might represent to American interests.

There’s no doubt about it, the left is using Trump’s colorful use of language and “behavior” to distract from the progress he’s achieved in making America great again. The former president’s demeanor may have been more to the liberals’ liking -- but it’s not his show to run anymore.

The left has weaponized racism to destroy what remains of traditional American culture and institutions such as the church and family. Social media is the liberals’ preferred method for spreading propaganda, a strategy that’s proved very effective for furthering their sinister aims.

Retirement is hardly an easy choice. For motivated people who spent years serving and providing it must be difficult to simply walk away. Nevertheless, bringing fresh perspectives to Washington is something the Congress desperately needs. On balance, it’s a very good thing.

President Trump’s attempt to bring the immigration debate out into the open can only be a good thing for an American public starved for information as to what’s really going on in government. The entertainment value is high; one can only hope the final result will be just as gratifying.

All the tweets in the world won’t pass bills in Congress or improve Trump’s standing with the skeptical part of the public. Trump likely won’t face impeachment and Oprah probably won’t run – but the ultimate success of his administration depends on his ability to control himself.

History suggests President Trump has a few aces up his sleeve on immigration and in the upcoming GOP primaries. Some may have set aside Trump’s promise to drain the swamp but it’s doubtful he has. Making American Great Again won’t happen without his key agenda items.

By Richard A. Viguerie, CHQ ChairmanLooking toward the 2018 primaries, the rupture of relations between Trump and Bannon has created a temporary leadership vacuum in the conservative – populist movement, so it is up to each of us to step up and do what we can to fill that vacuum; the need for top quality conservative candidates for every office is too great, our goals are too important, and our mission is too urgent for this battle of personalities to slow us, let alone to stop us.

The media and Democrats will continue to say Trump is unstable, insane, unbalanced and any other adjective that implies his behavior is a threat to the country. Leftists imagine getting rid of Trump would spell the end of his policy agenda – it’s up to us to prove them wrong.

The possibility of regaining power and stopping President Trump ensures a steady stream of media reports concerning this year’s midterm elections. Trump’s statements remain the hot topic of discussion but congressional Republicans can better make their case by sticking to his winning agenda.

Time will tell how Orrin Hatch’s retirement will play out. Regardless, there will be new blood in the senate after Hatch’s departure – and that can only be a good thing. Mitt Romney would add a new establishment presence to Washington – but would he really just be a thorn in Trump’s side?

Republicans who came to Washington intent on making change should carry through with their promises. Failing to do so will not only guarantee the downfall of President Trump’s winning agenda – it will spell the effective end of their political careers as well.

The nature of American politics ensures almost constant conflict and 2018 promises to be no different. Republicans should be proud of the progress made in 2017 but by no means is the fight won so everyone can go home satisfied. Simply put, there won’t be any time to rest on our laurels.

One can only hope Trump makes a few New Year’s resolutions, most notably a resolve to improve his approval ratings. But some things he’s doing don’t need to be changed; as the first president in decades who seeks to keep his campaign promises, Trump is already ahead of the game.

Republicans should rightfully be buoyed by their successes in the past month. Heading into 2018, however, there remain tremendous challenges to unite conservatives, choose good candidates for the midterm elections and put more “legislative points on the board.” Can they hold it together?

Everyone who voted for Trump knew what they were getting and his administration has thus far featured few unpleasant surprises. The White House may lack a true political operation but in many ways that’s a good thing. All signs point to Trump’s momentum being sustained.